Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Video - Nigeria's unemployment problem
In the second quarter of the year, Nigeria's economy shed over 1.3 Million jobs. As a result, the overall unemployment figure rose to 8.2%. That's the 3rd consecutive quarter in which unemployment figures in Nigeria have fallen, and women and people below the age of 25, are the hardest hit. Earlier on, I spoke to Adesola Oludamilare, an Economic Analyst with the Financial Derivatives Company. Our conversation started by asking how accurate the latest unemployment data, is.
Related story: Video - Entrepreneur Adeyoin Oshinbanjo talks about her successful venture Mile 12 Marketonline
President Muhammadu Buhari appoints new head of NNPC
Buhari took office on May 29 and axed Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) chief Joseph Thlama Dawha and his directors less than a month later after vowing to tackle what he called "the evil of corruption".
Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu's appointment as NNPC group managing director was announced in a statement from Buhari's spokesman Femi Adesina, which also listed other changes at the top of the state-run company.
No reason was given for Dawha's removal after just 10 months in the job, but changes at the much-criticised NNPC have become routine and observers believe the move may have been a prelude to an in-depth probe of its activities.
"This appointment marks the beginning of the reforms which will establish the NNPC as corporation which fights corruption and drives growth in the Nigerian economy," the company said in a statement.
Kachikwu, a former executive vice-chairman of Exxon-Mobil Africa from the coastal Delta State, is a Harvard-trained lawyer with 30 years' experience in the energy sector, according to the NNPC.
"I am excited to be taking up this challenge," Kachikwu was quoted as saying in the NNPC statement.
"Being in a position to manage the most important natural resource in Nigeria is a source of pride and responsibility for the NNPC and I am committed to taking this forward and helping the NNPC achieve its potential as a globally competitive national oil company."
Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer, churning out roughly two million barrels of crude per day.
Ordinary people have largely not benefited from the nation's oil wealth, however, with much of the revenue lost to graft.
The NNPC is regarded as one of the world's most opaque and corrupt publicly-controlled oil firms and has been linked to the massive theft of vast crude revenues.
AFP
U.S. prepared to train Nigerian military
The United States is ready to provide military training to help Nigeria's battle against Islamic extremists, the leader of a U.S. Congressional delegation said here.
Nigeria's military is not outgunned by Boko Haram and needs training, not arms, to defeat the insurgents blamed for the deaths of thousands in three countries, said Rep. Darrell Issa.
Issa spoke after his four-person bipartisan delegation met with President Muhammadu Buhari and military service chiefs.
Issa's statement contradicts Buhari who asserted, after meeting President Barack Obama at the White House last month, that the United States is aiding Boko Haram by refusing to sell attack helicopters to Nigeria.
The U.S. Leahy Law prohibits all aid to specific military units which have been found to violate human rights. In the case of Nigeria, U.S. officials have said that some units have been vetted and deemed eligible for assistance, and others have not. Amnesty International has accused Nigeria of killing without due process an estimated 8,000 people suspected of involvement with Boko Haram.
"The number one thing we bring is professional training" to help the Nigerian forces fight Boko Haram and to advise them how to treat insurgents and civilians captured in the war zone, said Issa, a Republican from California and member of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism. Nigeria's military "doesn't lack basic firearms ... it lacks training" in military strategy and in international and humanitarian laws.
"This is a military that was allowed to fall into disrepair during the previous administration. Morale is low when training is low," said Issa.
He said Obama's pledge to give whatever training is needed signals "a new day" in U.S.-Nigeria relations. Buhari has pledged to annihilate Boko Haram and fight Nigeria's serious corruption problem.
AP
Nigeria's military is not outgunned by Boko Haram and needs training, not arms, to defeat the insurgents blamed for the deaths of thousands in three countries, said Rep. Darrell Issa.
Issa spoke after his four-person bipartisan delegation met with President Muhammadu Buhari and military service chiefs.
Issa's statement contradicts Buhari who asserted, after meeting President Barack Obama at the White House last month, that the United States is aiding Boko Haram by refusing to sell attack helicopters to Nigeria.
The U.S. Leahy Law prohibits all aid to specific military units which have been found to violate human rights. In the case of Nigeria, U.S. officials have said that some units have been vetted and deemed eligible for assistance, and others have not. Amnesty International has accused Nigeria of killing without due process an estimated 8,000 people suspected of involvement with Boko Haram.
"The number one thing we bring is professional training" to help the Nigerian forces fight Boko Haram and to advise them how to treat insurgents and civilians captured in the war zone, said Issa, a Republican from California and member of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism. Nigeria's military "doesn't lack basic firearms ... it lacks training" in military strategy and in international and humanitarian laws.
"This is a military that was allowed to fall into disrepair during the previous administration. Morale is low when training is low," said Issa.
He said Obama's pledge to give whatever training is needed signals "a new day" in U.S.-Nigeria relations. Buhari has pledged to annihilate Boko Haram and fight Nigeria's serious corruption problem.
AP
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
U.S. to ease military assistance restrictions on Nigeria
The United States will soon relax or completely lift the restriction on military assistance imposed on Nigeria under the country’s Leahy Law, U.S. congressman, Darrel Issah, said Monday.
The Leahy Law prohibits the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defence from providing military assistance to foreign military units that allegedly violates human rights with impunity.
Mr. Issah dropped the hint while fielding questions from journalists shortly after meeting with Nigeria’s service chiefs and Ministry of Defence officials in Abuja on Monday.
He said the development was occasioned by the policy of the new military command with regards to the ongoing military operations in the country.
“There were a number of things that were discussed at the meeting but basically the need for additional technical support including overhead surveillance. This was discussed because it is important in the fight against Boko Haram.
“This is because of the trust in the new regime which has begun the process of ensuring that the military’s professionalism in the battle field is made in a way that we all can be confident that the rule of law is followed.
“Following this development, we have begun the process of lifting restriction under the Leahy Law but the vast majority of the support U.S. provides will be given regardless of the restrictions,’’ said Mr. Issah, who led a delegation from the U.S. congress judicial committee to the meeting with Nigeria’s top ranking defence officials.
Mr. Issah said the U.S. will provide other forms of support that would not only boost the military’s capabilities but would also create the environment to rebuild devastated communities.
He said the U.S. through its agencies in Nigeria would help rebuild and rehabilitate communities and victims of insurgency in the northeast.
“We are looking forward to working with the president and the military to rebuild the confidence of the people of Nigeria in the professionalism of the military.
“To make the military something that the people will rely on as the nation tries to clear insurgents and protect the civilians; that is important to the new president of Nigeria, our president and it is also important to the congress.
“But we are looking forward to a great difference in the relationship, a proactive relationship and one in which we can provide a greater level of support,’’ he said.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ismaila Aliyu, said the visit was a sign of the renewed confidence in Nigeria’s military on the global scene.
He said Nigeria now enjoyed a greater level of confidence and trust in the international community, stressing that it would impact positively on the nation’s efforts in repositioning its economy.
“The U.S. believes in Nigeria, they have trust and confidence in Nigeria that is why they are here.
“On the issue of human rights, the U.S. is pleased with what we have been doing in recent times to address the gaps that may have existed in the past.
“This visit is a follow up to Mr President’s visit to the U.S., we have said it and will continue to state that the visit was of great benefit to Nigeria, it has rekindled confidence in the relations between the two countries,’’ he said.
Other issues that dominated discussions between officials of the two countries include justice reforms and support for devastated communities, among others.
The meeting is believed to be one of the gains of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent visit to the U.S.
Daily Post
Related story: Video - President Muhammadu Buhari says U.S. aiding Boko Haram with arms ban
The Leahy Law prohibits the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defence from providing military assistance to foreign military units that allegedly violates human rights with impunity.
Mr. Issah dropped the hint while fielding questions from journalists shortly after meeting with Nigeria’s service chiefs and Ministry of Defence officials in Abuja on Monday.
He said the development was occasioned by the policy of the new military command with regards to the ongoing military operations in the country.
“There were a number of things that were discussed at the meeting but basically the need for additional technical support including overhead surveillance. This was discussed because it is important in the fight against Boko Haram.
“This is because of the trust in the new regime which has begun the process of ensuring that the military’s professionalism in the battle field is made in a way that we all can be confident that the rule of law is followed.
“Following this development, we have begun the process of lifting restriction under the Leahy Law but the vast majority of the support U.S. provides will be given regardless of the restrictions,’’ said Mr. Issah, who led a delegation from the U.S. congress judicial committee to the meeting with Nigeria’s top ranking defence officials.
Mr. Issah said the U.S. will provide other forms of support that would not only boost the military’s capabilities but would also create the environment to rebuild devastated communities.
He said the U.S. through its agencies in Nigeria would help rebuild and rehabilitate communities and victims of insurgency in the northeast.
“We are looking forward to working with the president and the military to rebuild the confidence of the people of Nigeria in the professionalism of the military.
“To make the military something that the people will rely on as the nation tries to clear insurgents and protect the civilians; that is important to the new president of Nigeria, our president and it is also important to the congress.
“But we are looking forward to a great difference in the relationship, a proactive relationship and one in which we can provide a greater level of support,’’ he said.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ismaila Aliyu, said the visit was a sign of the renewed confidence in Nigeria’s military on the global scene.
He said Nigeria now enjoyed a greater level of confidence and trust in the international community, stressing that it would impact positively on the nation’s efforts in repositioning its economy.
“The U.S. believes in Nigeria, they have trust and confidence in Nigeria that is why they are here.
“On the issue of human rights, the U.S. is pleased with what we have been doing in recent times to address the gaps that may have existed in the past.
“This visit is a follow up to Mr President’s visit to the U.S., we have said it and will continue to state that the visit was of great benefit to Nigeria, it has rekindled confidence in the relations between the two countries,’’ he said.
Other issues that dominated discussions between officials of the two countries include justice reforms and support for devastated communities, among others.
The meeting is believed to be one of the gains of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent visit to the U.S.
Daily Post
Related story: Video - President Muhammadu Buhari says U.S. aiding Boko Haram with arms ban
Monday, August 3, 2015
Video - Nigeria taking new measures to fight online and banking scams
Nigerian authorities are moving to stamp out rampant online and banking fraud which is costing local banks hundreds of millions of dollars. The measures which include new banking cards and higher online security checks are also aimed at improving Nigeria's international reputation, which has been damaged by a plethora of global email scams.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)